Ricky & Hans play Santa Claus to ChildHaus kids

Like last year, it drizzled on Sunday (Dec. 9) afternoon when Ricky Reyes and Hans Sy (accompanied by his wife Carol Sy) again played Santa Claus to the dozen of cancer-stricken children living at ChildHaus (on F. Agoncillo St., Paco, Manila) while undergoing treatment (chemotherapy, etc.) at the nearby Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Hans and Janna Victoria

Droplets of good blessings was how Ricky and Hans described the intermittent rain that day. But the two godparents’ group was amply prepared, so they put up the usual tent where the distribution of gifts was held, along with the acknowledgment of donations from good-hearted people like GMA executive Lilybeth Rasonable, Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan (P200,000 cash), Tates Gana (fondly known in showbiz circles as the First Lady of Quezon City) and charity organizations (one of which donated 40 sacks of rice… “Good for 40 days because ChildHaus consumes one sack per day for the residents,” said Ricky).

ChildHaus has found a permanent home at a big building (on F. Agoncillo St.) donated by Hans — that is, after moving from two rented places.

Tates Gana

Every year, showbiz people come forward to donate whatever they can. Present at that Sunday’s Christmas party were GMA executive Darling de Jesus, former GMA executive Wilma Galvante, Janna Victoria (who doesn’t seem to have aged, still as pretty as she was 20 years ago when she had her movie debut in Lagarista, directed by Mel Chionglo, with an equally young Piolo Pascual as leading man), singer LA Santos and his sister Maria Kanishia Santos, Myra Manibog and her singer-daughter Alekzandra and Evangeline Pascual (still proud of her distinct honor as the first Filipina to finish first runner-up in the Miss World pageant in 1973 but who politely refused when offered the crown after USA’s Marjorie Wallace was dethroned).

Singer LA Santos and sister Maria Kanishia Santos

ChildHaus is the pet project of Ricky, aside from the Asia Pacific Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Association (APHCA) Olympics’ Hair & Makeup International Beauty Forum which held its 22nd competition (among more than a dozen Asian countries) early last month in Macau.

Slightly wet from the drizzle and not minding the sweat glistening in his face, Ricky was a picture of Yuletide bliss as he hosted the ChildHaus event.

“Just seeing the smile on the children’s faces makes me very happy,” said Ricky, “and makes my Christmas very merry, merry.”

Myra Manibog and singer-daughter Alekzandra

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)